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After nearly 18 months of juggling remote learning and homeschooling, my two boys finally returned to school earlier this month. While I had my fair share of anxiety about sending them back into classrooms during a still-ongoing pandemic, one of my sons is vaccinated and both schools are implementing strong safety measures. Overall, it feels like the right choice. Their mental well-being was suffering, and it was crucial for them to socialize with peers and re-establish a structured routine.
So far, they seem to be adjusting well. I feared they would feel overwhelmed going back, especially with the early wake-up calls and the rush to catch the bus. However, aside from a few hiccups, they appear to be thriving, and—fingers crossed—there haven’t been too many grumbles about the early mornings or homework.
On the flip side, I find myself feeling completely swamped and drained. Don’t misunderstand me; I cherish the peace and quiet of a house without kids during school hours. My husband, who is also a teacher, was home last year, and we both worked remotely while trying to educate our children. That setup was chaotic, but I didn’t feel nearly as stressed as I do now.
Having everyone at home meant we could afford to sleep in a bit. We didn’t have to rush to prepare lunches or get the kids dressed and ready to leave. House chores could be tackled anytime instead of in a frantic scramble before bed. Flexibility was key during that time.
Part of my stress stems from the fact that last year, my husband was more available to assist. He worked part-time and was able to help with breakfast and lunch for the kids, along with cleaning up the morning dishes. Now, he leaves for work at dawn, often before my youngest even wakes up, so I handle the morning routine alone.
Once my youngest hops on the bus, I dive into work. I try to maximize every moment while they’re in school, often just squeezing in a quick lunch. My goal is to wrap up by 3 PM to greet them after school and see my youngest off the bus.
From 3 PM until bedtime, life is a whirlwind. We juggle feeding the kids, cleaning lunch boxes, packing up for the next day, making dinner, and tackling homework. Evenings often find me at my computer, finishing up work after the kids are asleep. With my high schooler staying up late, I hardly get a moment of peace to unwind with my husband because our son wants to chat about his day.
I start my days before dawn and collapse into bed at night, and it hasn’t been like this for quite some time. Last year’s chaos, while stressful, didn’t feel so relentless. Yes, the pandemic weighed heavily on me, but I’d almost forgotten how much extra responsibility comes with kids being back in school.
Just managing emails, permission slips, lunch menus, and homework can be overwhelming. And let’s not even begin to discuss the nightly battles to get them to focus on their assignments. While we have rules in place, anyone with tired, defiant kids knows it’s not that simple.
Still, I don’t regret sending them back. They seem to appreciate school in a unique way after such a long break. I will adapt, too; I’ve been navigating school routines for eight years before the pandemic hit.
What the shutdown taught me, however, is the value of a simpler, more relaxed lifestyle. Modern parenting—where both parents work while managing their children’s schooling and activities—truly is a juggling act.
I’m not sure there’s a straightforward solution. My husband and I can’t afford to stop working or hire help. We’re shouldering this burden together, and it’s a lot to carry.
At least I know we’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed. Every parent I talk to is grappling with the same challenges—whether it’s adjusting to busy schedules, pandemic-related anxiety, or financial stress.
Ultimately, we will navigate through this chaos. We can, and we must, because that’s what parents do.
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Summary:
After 18 months of remote learning, my kids returned to school, bringing both relief and new challenges. While their adjustment seems positive, I find myself overwhelmed with the added responsibilities of school routines and homework. Although I cherish the quiet during the school day, the extra workload is significant compared to the flexibility of last year. Parenting continues to be a balancing act, but I know we’ll find our way through it together.